The Barry-Cottones: Chasing Dreams in Marple

Resident Feature written by Craig Whitney

Photographs courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

The Barry-Cottones are an exciting and active family in the Marple community. Brigit has lived in the area her whole life and Michael joined her in 2013. Their story is one of living out their dream life, overcoming the bumps along the way with steady hearts and unwavering resolve. Things have always seemed to move fast for Michael and Brigit, but they have never hesitated to make the life for themselves they’ve always wanted.

Michael was raised in Layfayette Hill and attended St. Joe’s Prep and Cabrini University. During school, Michael was very involved in lacrosse and said it was his favorite parts of high school and college. His love of the comradery in the sport kept him involved and when he can, he still plays lacrosse with his friends today. He studied kinesiology at Cabrini, and after graduation, he worked for USLI from 2007 to late 2009 where he met Brigit.

(left to right) Vin, Michael, Cormac and Brigit Barry-Cottone

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

Brigit also started working for USLI in 2007. Growing up in Newtown Square, she attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova. She spoke fondly of growing up in the area and of her mother’s home healthcare company, Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses, that has been in Newtown Square for over 32 years. The business was very successful and her mother still serves as the CEO to this day. After high school, Brigit attended Davidson College and received a B.A. in Sociology there. In the same way that Michael was always passionate about lacrosse, Brigit was always a swimmer. She swam for Notre Dame and four years at Davidson as well. After college, she continued her involvement by becoming a coach at Aronimink Golf Club and later a head coach for her alma mater, Notre Dame where she still coaches today.

It’s no surprise, then, that the two met at the company gym in 2009. Michael said it didn’t take long after their first meeting that Brigit got right to the point. “One day when we were talking at the gym, Brigit said ‘So, are you going to ask me on a date or what?’” Their first date, at Dave & Buster’s in the city, was a perfect combination of their shared enjoyment of competition and activity. “Yeah, I’m not one to wait for things to happen,” Brigit joined in, laughing. “I like to get things done.”

Shortly after they started dating, Michael left USLI to work for Vanguard for 5 years and then in 2015 moved on to the company he works for today, AmerisourceBergen. Michael says he likes the company’s “challenging and dynamic” atmosphere and that he has really enjoyed his time with them. Brigit continued on with USLI and has worked there for 12 years. “The work environment is very progressive,” she said. “It’s a very diverse workforce and there is a lot of opportunity and room for growth.” While working there, Brigit has moved into several different roles.

In 2013, Michael and Brigit got married at Saint Anastasia and celebrated at Aronimink Golf Club. The Barry-Cottones had goals that they wanted to achieve in their first year: Move into their new home and start a family. The first year proved difficult immediately, as a fire in December 2012 burned down their new home right before they were to move in. For six months, they lived in temporary housing while the house was being repaired.

“It was really hard,” Brigit began. “But the company working on the house, County Line Construction, did such a great job. All through the six-month process, they were great to work with.” The Barry-Cottones persevered through this difficult situation, and by the end, they finally had the new home in Marple that they always wanted.

After moving into their new home, their next dream was starting a family. After a year, it seemed like they would not be able to conceive, so Michael and Brigit began looking into options for adoption. “Again, I’m not one to wait around for things to happen,” Brigit joked.

The process was surprisingly fast, a blessing for the Barry- Cottones, who were expecting the process to be long and complicated. In August 2015, after setting up a profile with an adoption agency, they were soon paired up with the birth mother of their future son. Adding to the swiftness of the process, the birth mother was due in six weeks.

Vin on a park swing, with his mom Brigit

“If nine months feels like it goes quickly, six weeks flew by,” Michael joked. The day before the scheduled C-section, the Barry-Cottones met with the birth mother and they all went out for dinner. Everyone got along well immediately, and the next day, Brigit was able to be in the room when their son was born. Six weeks from setting up their profile with the adoption agency, Michael and Brigit brought their baby boy, Vincent, home to Marple.

Vin is now three and a half years old and has brought joy and warmth to their family that is beyond measure. “He is something special, and he gets none of it from us. He has such a big personality!” Brigit said. “Yeah, we think he’s going to be a movie star or professional athlete,” Michael added with a smile. “Something big.”

To add to their recent fortunes, the Barry-Cottones were overwhelmed with joy when they discovered Brigit was pregnant in the fall of 2018. Just a few short years prior, they had thought they may never have children but they now have two healthy and happy boys. Cormac is now 12 weeks old and has quickly become a perfect fit for the family. Vin has been completely positive about the new addition to the family. “Cormac is such a great baby.” Brigit commented, “He’s so relaxed and easy-going. Even though Vin is usually high energy, he is very gentle around him. ”

Dad Michael with sons Vin (left) and Cormac (right)

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography

Before having two small children, Brigit and Michael volunteered for Mainline Animal Rescue where Brigit adopted their first dog in 2009, Riley, a Jack Russell. They also adopted Guinness, a Pitbull pointer mix, from Main Line Animal Rescue and Brody, another Pitbull, whom they adopted from Delco SPCA. Unfortunately Brody passed away December 31, 2017 and is very much missed. Even though they have a lot going on in their lives with children, dogs, and work, they still find time to work out and be active. “People around the neighborhood always tell me they see Michael running everywhere,” laughed Brigit. Fitness remains important for both of them even through life’s craziness.

Brigit Barry-Cottone holding son Cormac, and Michael Barry-Cottone being hugged by son Vin

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

Looking back, it’s amazing to see the changes in their lives. In just a few years, they have gone from a newly married couple without a home to a family with a beautiful new house in Marple and two children. Their perseverance and go-getter attitudes have taken them through years together and into what is sure to be a wonderful future ahead for their family.